i hate the new layout. and now there's all sorts of other problems. it hasn't happened to me yet but there are people having their accounts locked out or videos deleted because false third parties are claiming copyright violations (even of handheld homeshot videos - youtube just cancells the vid without investigating) and channel views are dropping. it is crazy but some videos now have more comments than views! i had over 1 250 000 total views yesterday now it is less than 950 000. i don't really mind views - i care more about subscribers, but is was kind of fun aiming for certain milestones.
i miss the old youtube.

The only difference between the new youtube layout and the old layout is that the site is much easier to use and doesn't look like it was designed in 2002.

90% of the changes they made were to make the site more visually pleasing and the video player works much better.

The problems you have had with views have always existed, but you may be just now experiencing them.
The only real change they made to the site was the home page, which is now much easier to see new videos posted by your subscriptions.